U.S.-based electronics buy-and-sell franchise PayMore is ramping up its Canadian expansion with multiple new storefronts opening this year, including a high-profile downtown Toronto location and new franchisees signed in British Columbia, Calgary, and Ottawa. The company, known for its resale model focusing on consumer electronics, has partnered with Toronto-based Founder Brands, which holds the exclusive Canadian rights to the PayMore brand.
The latest opening, near the busy intersection of Yonge and Wellesley in downtown Toronto, marks a significant step in PayMore’s Canadian growth. “We wanted to be on Yonge Street,” said Adam Corrin, Co-Founder of Founder Brands, in a recent interview. “South of Bloor, north of Dundas—it’s where the density is, it’s where the spending power is, and it’s where people are walking past with old iPhones in their pockets.”
Building Momentum from Downtown Toronto to Walmart Locations
PayMore now has six open storefronts in Canada, with three of those located inside Walmart stores. The retail giant is testing the concept by allowing PayMore to operate in spaces near store entrances—areas often occupied by third-party vendors like McDonald’s or dry cleaners.
“We’re in Markham, Scarborough, and Mississauga, right near the point-of-sale areas at Walmart,” Corrin explained. “That strip of retail at the front of the store is a perfect high-traffic environment for us.”
These locations are part of a strategic three-store pilot, with Walmart monitoring performance before any broader rollout. Corrin says the reception has been strong both from consumers and from Walmart management.
“It’s been a great brand for franchisees and a great brand for landlords,” he said. “Everyone wants to be part of the PayMore story right now. The brand is building traction fast.”
Consumers Driving Growth with Trade-Ins and Searches
Part of PayMore’s success comes from strong demand among consumers looking to turn in old electronics for cash. As Corrin described, “Every time we open a new store, someone walks in on day one and says, ‘I Googled where to sell my old laptop,’ and PayMore came up.”
He added that the brand is not just attracting tech-savvy customers already thinking about selling their devices, but also people who hadn’t yet considered it. “There are millions of Canadians with drawers full of old electronics,” Corrin said. “They’re just not acting on it—yet.”
Founder Brands has developed a layered marketing strategy to target both actively searching customers and more passive ones. “Right now, we’re focused on digital—SEO, paid search, anything that captures someone who wants to sell their PlayStation or phone,” Corrin said. “But there’s a big opportunity to go after people who haven’t even thought about it yet. The mom who has a drawer of iPads and doesn’t know what to do with them? That’s the next frontier.”
Seasonal and Traditional Marketing to Follow
Corrin noted that as the brand gains scale nationally, broader awareness campaigns will become viable. “We see an opportunity around spring cleaning,” he said. “People want to declutter—and what better way than by trading in unused tech for cash?”
The post-holiday period is another key window. “After Christmas, people have new devices and don’t know what to do with their old ones,” he explained. “It’s a natural moment to reach them.”
In time, Corrin envisions larger-scale campaigns, including PR pushes and possibly even traditional media advertising. “Once we have 30 or 40 stores, we can justify spending more to reach broader audiences,” he said.
Franchising Driving National Footprint
Founder Brands is growing PayMore through a franchise model and has sold nearly 70% of the Canadian territory. So far, eight franchisees are actively pursuing real estate or are in the build-out phase of their stores, according to Corrin.
“We’ve signed franchisees in British Columbia, Calgary, the GTA, and Ottawa,” he said. “We also have letters of intent signed for other markets that will help us fill in the map.”
The pace of expansion is ambitious. Corrin confirmed that Founder Brands is committed to opening 120 PayMore locations across Canada within ten years. With a mix of urban storefronts and co-located retail spaces like Walmart, the company is executing a dual-format approach that allows for flexibility in high-traffic areas.
PayMore’s Canadian Debut: A Look Back
The company’s first Canadian locations were announced in January 2025. At that time, Corrin outlined plans to bring the New York-based PayMore brand north through a scalable franchise model. The initial openings were also tied to the Walmart pilot program, which positioned PayMore to test the Canadian market in locations with steady foot traffic and built-in consumer trust.
“The first stores were a proof of concept,” Corrin said in January. “Now that we’ve validated the business model, we’re ready to scale fast.”
Landlord and Investor Enthusiasm Growing
Real estate landlords have responded positively to the PayMore model, viewing the brand as a strong traffic generator with broad consumer appeal. Corrin confirmed that leasing conversations have moved swiftly across key urban markets, helped by PayMore’s performance south of the border.
“The franchise model helps us move quickly,” he said. “Franchisees are motivated, they know their local markets, and they’re invested.”
Corrin added that many landlords are actively approaching the company about bringing the concept into their properties. “They see this as a fresh take on retail—tech, resale, sustainability. It checks a lot of boxes.”
A Business Model Rooted in Sustainability and Value
In addition to strong unit economics, the PayMore brand appeals to modern consumer values, including sustainability and financial practicality. Corrin noted that resale—and particularly electronics resale—is an increasingly important part of how Canadians think about consumption.
“There’s a cultural shift happening,” he said. “People want to spend smarter, and they’re more aware of the waste associated with electronics. PayMore offers a way to get value from what you already own, and that message is resonating.”
Looking Ahead: Market Penetration and Beyond
Founder Brands’ next challenge is scaling the business while maintaining quality and brand consistency. Corrin said that franchisee training, operational support, and real estate guidance are critical to ensuring the concept’s long-term success.
“Toronto’s just the beginning,” he said. “Soon, you’ll see PayMore stores in suburban communities, college towns, and secondary markets across the country.”
And while the focus remains on PayMore for now, Corrin hinted that more announcements could be on the horizon involving other brands in the Founder Brands portfolio, including experiential retail and food service concepts.
“We’ve got some exciting developments coming,” he said. “But PayMore is definitely the growth engine right now.”
